Temperature sensitive electrical regulating device

ABSTRACT

A Temperature Sensitive Electrical Regulating Device comprising a multi-electrode gas tube arrestor having electrically coupled to each electrode an electrically conductive coupling element comprising an electrically insulative outer covering defining a cavity, and an electrically conductive member contained within said cavity such that upon the reaching of a particular temperature, the electrically conductive member changes its physical state causing a break in the electrical conductivity of said conductive member thereby lifting the three electrode gas tube arrestor off the line.

United States Patent 91 J onassen TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE ELECTRICALREGULATING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Gaylord D. Jonassen, Smithtown,

[73] Assignee: Telecommunication Industries, Inc.,

Copiague, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Dec. 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 313,584

[52] 11.8. CI 317/40 A, 317/66, 317/71,

337/32 [51] Int. Cl. 1102b 5/04 [58] Field of Search 317/14 R, 14 N, 40A,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,386,063 5/1968 Mansfield337/290 3,340,431 9/1967 Wanaselja 317/61 2,871,313 1/1959 Chabala et a1317/40 A 1 Dec. 11, 1973 2,548,491 4/1951 Peek 317/40 A FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS 484,912 10/1929 Germany 317/62 Primary Examiner-J. D.Miller Assistant Examiner-Harry E. Moose, Jr. AttorneyAllen R.Morganstern [57] ABSTRACT 13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIEDUEC 111915 3,778,679

slime 0F 2 M ,y/d. ELECTRICAL ENVIRONMENT SOURCE TO BE Y PROTECTED E ERGFIG.6

TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE ELECTRICAL REGULATING DEVICE BACKGROUND ANDOBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally totemperature-sensitive electrical regulating devices, and in particular,to temperature-sensitive electrical regulating devices that do notpresent a fire hazard under sustained overload conditions.

Prior to the present invention, when an overload condition occurred in aparticular electrical environment, as for example when a power linewould fall onto a telephone line as the result of a storm, there wouldbe induced in the telephone line currents far in excess of what wouldnormally be carried by the line. If this were to occur, not only wouldany electrical device coupled to said line be subject to destruction,but in addition, a fire hazard would be created with regard to anystructure to which the telephone line is connected as a direct result ofthe overload carried by the telephone lines.

Although a variety of tube-type protective devices are employed toprotect against an overload condition as set forth above, under suchcircumstances, the protective devices currently available on the marketcan become a fire hazard in and of themselves due to the excessive heatthey generate as they shunt the overload.

It is therefore an object of this invention to create a new and improvedelectrical regulating device that overcomes the disadvantages of theprior art devices.

It is another object of this invention to create a new and improvedelectrical regulating device that does not become a tire hazard under anoverload condition.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improvedelectrical regulating device that is compact in design, rugged inconstruction, and economical to manufacture.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improvedelectrical regulating device that is responsive to thermal stimulus.

; It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improvedelectrical regulating device whose thermal sensitivity is variable.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improvedelectrical regulating device that is operative for both an over voltagecondition as well as for an excessive current condition.

The objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in part hereinand in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice ofthe invention, the same being realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements,combinations, and improvements herein shown and described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the present invention isdirected to a novel and improved temperature-sensitive electricalregulating device that does not become a fire hazard under overloadconditions. As herein preferable embodied, a three electrode gasdischarge tube is encapsulated within an electrically insulative shellhaving thermal insulative potting material packed between saidelectrically insulative shell and said gas discharge tube.

Coupled to each electrode of said gas discharge tube is a couplingelement comprising an electrically insulative outer covering thatencapsulates an inner core of electrically conductive material. Theouter covering is designed to provide structural integrity as well asinsulative and aesthetic properties. The inner core of electricallyconductive material comprises a fusable electrically conductive liningof a hollow configuration which is in turn electrically coupled to asolid core of electrically conductive material. The above describedcoupling element has its fusable electrically conductive lining ofhollow configuration end electrically coupled to each electrode of saidgas tube while the other end of said coupling element is free forcoupling into an electrical network. In keeping with the invention, whensaid temperature sensitive electrical regulating device is presentedwith an overload condition, the gaseous environment of said gasdischarge tube ionizes providing a conductive path for shunting the pathof excessive current resulting from an overload condition. As thecondition continues, the termperature of the regulating device increasesand under a sustained overload condition would become a fire hazard butfor the fact that the fusable electrically conductive link of hollowconfiguration encapsulated within said electrically insulative outercovering is also heated and upon reaching its melting point which iscalculated to be at a level below which the device becomes a firehazard, the electrically conductive link melts thereby flowing into thehollow area heretofore defined by the electrically conductive link thuscausing a break in the electrically conductive path defined by saidelectrically conductive link.

It will be understood that the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description as well are exemplary and explanatory ofthe invention, but are not restrictive thereof.

The accompanying drawings referred to herein and constituting a parthereof, are illustrative of the invention but not restrictive thereof,and together with the description, serve to explain the principles ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view ofa temperaturesensitive electrical regulating device constructed inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away view along line 2-2 of the temperature-sensitiveelectrical regulating device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away view of the temperaturesensitive electricalregulating device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of atemperature-sensitive electrical regulating device constructed inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cut-away view of another embodiment of atemperature-sensitive electrical regulating device constructed inaccordance with the invention wherein the electrically conductivecoupling element utilized comprises an inner core of closely packedgranules of electrically conductive material.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the temperaturesensitive electrical regulating device coupled within an electricalenvironment in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly tothe embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings,there is illustrated in FIG. I a temperature-sensitive electricalregulating device indicated generally by reference numeral 10.

In accordance with the invention, temperaturesensitive electricalregulating device comprises a housing 11, into which is encapsulated agas discharge tube arrestor 12. In keeping with the invention, housing11 can take almost any form or shape and can be made from anyelectrically insulative material. As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, onerepresentative embodiment of the invention has housing 11 take on arectangular shape having a somewhat square cross-section.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiment set forth in thedrawings, gas discharge tube arrestor 12 is of a three electrode type,however, nothing herein should be construed to restrict theapplicability of this invention to only three electrode gas dischargetube arrestors. On the contrary, this invention is applicable to any gasdischarge tube arrestor, be it a one electrode device or be it amulti-electrode device.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, gas discharge tube arrestor 12 ispositioned within housing 11 and physically separated from the walls ofhousing 11 by thermal insulating potting material 13. In keeping withthe invention, thermal insulating potting material 13 provides the meanswhereby thermal energy, generated by gas discharge tube 12, when saidtube conducts under an overload condition, is reflected back within theconfines of housing 11, and in particular, reflected back to thestructure of gas discharge tube 12 and not permitted to dissipate to thesurrounding environment.

In accordance with the invention, electrically conductive couplingelement 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3, comprises an electricallyinsulative outer wall member 15 that is cylindrical in shape and definesan inner cavity running the entire length of tis structure. As furtherdepicted in FIG. 3, electrically conductive coupling element 14 has,contained within the cavity defined by electrically insulative outerwall member 15, an electrically conductive lining Id of hollowconfiguration that occupies a portion of said defined cavity wherein oneend of said electrically conductive lining 16 is electrically coupled toan electrode of said gas discharge tube 12 via solder connection 17 andthe other end of said electrically conductive lining I6 is electricallycoupled via solder connection 18 to a solid core of electricallyconductive wire 19 having its own electrically insulative covering, saidsolid core of electrically conductive wire 19 occupying the remainder ofthe defined cavity of electrically conductive coupling element 14.Electrically conductive wire I9 has its free end, namely, that end whichis not electrically coupled to fusable electrically conductive lining16, coupled to horseshoe coupling member 21 so as to provide a means forfascilitating the coupling of temperature sensitive electricalregulating device 10 into an electrical environment.

It should be pointed out that although electrically conductive couplingelement 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and as hereinafter discussed, hasa portion of it consist of an electrically conductive wire while theremaining portion of said electrically conductive coupling elementconsists of an electrically conductive lining having a hollowconfiguration, nothing herein should be interpreted so as to restrictthe invention to only such an embodiment. On the contrary, it should beunderstood that the present invention has wide applicability to avariety of embodiments other than the embodiment specificallyillustrated in FIG. 3.

In contrast to the prior art devices currently on the market whichattempt to dissipate to the surrounding environment the thermal energygenerated by a conducting gas discharge tube, and thus in that mannerattempt to avoid becoming a fire hazard, the construction and theory ofoperation of the persent invention seeks, via thermal insulating pottingmaterial 13, to retain within the device the thermal energy generated bygas discharge tubel2, resulting in the concentration of thermal energyas opposed to its dissipation. As will become evident, this conceptualoperative difference from the prior art devices currently available onthe market permits the present invention to function as an electricalregulating device that can sense both voltage and current overloadconditions and respond thereto without becoming a fire hazard under asustained overload condition.

Referring back to FIGS. I, 2, and 3, there is illustrated electricallyconductive coupling elements l4, l4'.and 14''. As per the embodimentdepicted therein, a three electrode gas discharge tube arrestor haselectrically coupled to each of its electrodes, an electricallyconductive coupling element, be it 14, I4 and 14''. It should, however,be kept in mind that although an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention depicted in the drawings illustrates a three electrode gasdischarge tube arrestor with identically designed electricallyconductive coupling elements 14, 14' and 14" re spectively coupled toeach of said electrodes, nothing herein should be construed as to limitthe invention to a three electrode device, or a device with eachelectrode having coupled thereto electrically conductive couplingelement of identical design. On the contrary, the present invention isapplicable to a device compromising a gas discharge tube arrestor havingany number of electrodes as well as a device that has all or in thealternative any combination thereof of said electrodes electricallycoupled to an electrically conductive coupling element of a design assetforth herein.

In particular, electrically conductive coupling element I4 can haveelectrically conductive lining 16 of hollow configuration run the entirelength of electrically conductive coupling element 14 and totallyeliminate the use of electrically conductive wire 19; or, their combineutilization as illustrated in FIG. 3, can be, with regard to theirrespective lengths, as compared to the overall length of electricallyconductive coupling ele ment M, of any desire ratio. Additionally, it iswihtin the scope of this invention to utilize as electrically conductivelining 16, a conductive lining that is not restrictive merely to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3. Although FIG. 3 illustrates a fusableelectrically conductive lining 16 having a hollow configuration, it iswithin the scope of this invention to encompass all variations of designthat effectuate a break in the electrical conductivity of saidelectrically conductive lining 16 upon having said lining reach apredetermined temperature, be said design take the form of a compositionwhose re sistance versus temperature plot effectuates the equivalent ofan open circuit once said composition reaches a particular temperaturelevel, or as illustrated in FIG. 5, having said lining take the form ofclosely packed granules 22 of electrically conductive material which,upon reaching a predetermined temperature level, will fuse into onesolid mass which occupies only a portion of the volume heretoforeoccupied by the granules of electrically conductive material, therebycausing a break in the electrical conductivity of said granulestructure, or as illustrated in FIG. 3, having said lining take the formof an electically conductive hollow lining which, upon reaching apredetermined temperature level, will change into a liquid therebyflowing into the cavity defined by the heretofore rigid hollow structureof said electrically conductive lining thus causing a break in theelectrical conductivity of said hollow lining structure, or asillustrated in FIG. 4, having solder connection 23, that electricallycouples electrically conductive coupling element 14 to gas dischargetube arrestor 12, positioned within a cavity formed within thermalinsulating potting material 13 such that upon reaching a predeterminedtemperature level, solder connection 23 will liquify thereby flowinginto the cavity formed within said potting material thereby causing abreak in the electrical conductivity between the electrode of said gasdischarge tube arrestor and said electrically conductive couplingelement.

In addition to the various forms which electrically conductive; couplingelement 14 may take, it is also within the scope and intent of thisinvention to, by proper design, to selectively set the temperature atwhich electrically conductive coupling element 14 will no longerelectrically conduct. Such regulative capability can take the form ofselectively combining the elements of composition that compriseelectrically conductive lining 16 or its alternate equivalents such thata composition of matter is fabricated that has the predetermined desiredmelting point.

With the above in mind, attention is now drawn to the operation of oneembodiment of temperaturesensitive electrical regulating device asillustrated in FIGS. l-3 and 5. In operation, electrically conductivecoupling elements 14 and 14 are electrically coupled across a source ofelectrical energy and between said source and the electrical environmentthat is to be protected (FIG. 5). In addition, electrically conductivecoupling element 14" is electrically coupled to ground. In accordancewith the invention, when an overload condition occurs, the gaseouscontent of gas-tube arrestor l2 ionizes thereby providing a directconductive path to ground via electrically conductive coupling element14" thus shunting to ground any overload.

If the overload condition prevails, gas-discharge tube arrestor 12 oftemperature-sensitive electrical regulating device 10 will begin torisev in temperature. In accordance with the invention, this rise intemperature is concentrated within the device itself by thermalinsulating potting material 13 and not permitted to dissipate to thesurrounding environment as is the case with the prior art devices whichthereby create a fire hazard under sustained overload conditions. On thecontrary, the present invention concentrates, to within the device, thethermal energy generated by having gasdischarge tube arrestor I2 placedinto an ionized state, thereby raising the temperature of electricallyconductive coupling elements l4, l4, and 14". upon having theelectrically conductive lining 16 as illustrated in FIG. 3of'electrically conductive coupling elements l4, l4 and I4" reach theirrespective melting points, said conductive linings will melt and willflow into the hollow cavity heretofore formed by the hollowconfiguration of an unmelted lining 16 thus causing a break in theelectrical conductivity of coupling elements M, 14 and 14" resulting inhaving temperature-sensitive electrical regulating device 10 lifted offof the line without becoming a fire hazard. As previously discussed,electrically conductive lining 16 is fashioned such that its meltingpoint is below that temperature which would result in havingtemperature-sensitive electrical regulating device it) become a firehazard. in keeping with the invention, coupling elements 14, 14' and 14"may either be identical in design and fabrication and thus melt at thesame temperature, or alternatively, be of different designs andfabrication and thus melt at separate and distinct temperature levelsthereby providing a particular sequence of operation or alternatively,it is within the scope of this invention to utilize in place of any oneor more of said coupling elements 14, i4 and 14'', a conductiveconnector or connectors as the case may be, which do not create an opencircuit condition at a particular temperature level thereby keeping therespective electrode of said gas discharge tube-arrestor electricallycoupled to the electrical environment regardless of the temperaturelevel of the device.

As is obvious from the above, the temperaturesensitive electricalregulating device of the present invention is a non-resetable device andthus once the device has been triggered, it must be replaced beforeoverload protection is again achieved. Additionally, it is also obviousthat once the device has been triggered and it has been lifted off ofthe line so as to avoid becoming a fire hazard, that the electricalenvironment across which said device was coupled is no longer protected.As a result, it is therefor within the scope of this invention toutilize said temperature-sensitive regulating device in combination withother back up overload protection means.

It should also be noted that in addition to acting as a protectivedevice for detecting and protecting from an overload voltage condition,it is additionally within the scope and intent of this invention to havesaid temperature-sensitive electrical regulating device 10 respond tooverload current conditions. The above is accomplished upon therealization that the low of excessive current through electricallyconductive lining 16 will, due to the resistance of lining l6, generateheat, which thereby raises the temperature of lining I6 and uponreaching a predetermined level which is relative to and indicative of anexcessive current level, said lining will melt, and as previouslydescribed above with regard to an excessive voltage condition, saidlining will flow into a cavity heretofore formed by its configuration,resulting in a break in the electrical conductivity of said lining,thereby having temperature-sensitive electrical regulating device It)lifted off of the line due to the detection of an excessive currentcondition.

The preceding description and accompanying drawings relate primarily tothe use of the invention as a temperature sensitive electricalregulating device for utilization within an electrical environment forprotection against overload conditions. Although specific reference hasbeen made to the utilization of the present invention within anelectrical environment for protection in association with telephoneequipment, it should be understood that the invention as hereindescribed is not so limited, but is equally applicable for use as ameans for protecting from damage due to an unexpected overloadcondition, any item of electrical equipment, be it a telephone, a T.V.,a radio, a transformer or any other item of electrical manufacture.Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to thespecific embodiment herein shown and described, but departures may bemade therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims, withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention and without sacrificingits chief advantages.

I CLAIM:

l. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device for protectingan electrical environment against overload conditions, said devicecompromising:

a. An electrically insulative walled enclosure defining a cavity;

b. A gas discharge tube arrestor having at least one electrode, said gasdischarge tube arrestor being positioned within the hollow cavity ofsaid walled enclosure;

c. Thermal insulative material encapsulating said gas discharge tubearrestor so as to provide a thermal insulative barrier between the wallsof said electrically insulative walled enclosure and said gas dischargetube arrestor;

. Electrically conductive coupling elements for electrically couplingeach electrode of said gas discharge tube arrestor to said electricalenvironment, said electrically conductive coupling elementscompromising:

i. An electrically insulative outer wall member defining a cavity;

ii. An electrically conductive inner member contained within said cavitydefined by said electrically insulative outer wall member, saidelectrically conductive inner member having its electrical conductivityinterrupted upon having any portion of said electrically conductiveinner member reach a predetermined temperature level; and

iii. Means for electrically coupling one end of an electricallyconductive coupling elementto each respective electrode of said gasdischarge tube arrestor.

2. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device as described inclaim 1 wherein said gas discharge tube arrestor is of a multi-electrodedesign.

3. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device as described inclaim 2 wherein said gas discharge tube arrestor is of a three electrodedesign.

4. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device as described inclaim 1 wherein said electrically conductive inner member of saidelectrically conductive coupling element is an electrically conductivehollow member which is coincident with said electrically insulativeouter wall member.

5. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device as described inclaim 1 wherein said electrically conductive inner member of saidelectrically conductive coupling comprises granuals of closely packedelectrically conductive material.

6. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device as described inclaim 1, wherein said thermal insulative material encapsulating said gasdischarge tube arrestor defines a cavity wherever an electricallyconductive coupling element is electrically coupled to an electrode ofsaid gas discharge tube arrestor.

7. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating de-' vice forprotecting an electrical environment against overload conditions asdescribe in claim ll wherein said device is responsive to both voltageand current overload conditions.

8. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device for protectingan electrical environment against overload conditions, said devicecomprising:

a. Gas discharge tube arrestor having at least one electrode, and

b. An electrically conductive coupling element for electrically couplingeach electrode of said gas discharge tube arrestor to said electricalenvironment, said electrically conductive coupling element comprising:

i. An electrically insulative outer wall member defining a cavity;

ii. An electrically conductive inner member contained within said cavitydefined by said electrically insulative outer wall member, saidelectrically conductive inner member comprising an electricallyconductive hollow member coincident with a portion of said electricallyinsulative outer wall member and an electrically conductive core memberelectrically coupled to said electrically conductive hollow member andcoincident with the remainder of said electrically insulative outer wallmember;

iii. means for coupling the electrically conductive hollow memberportion of said electrically conductive coupling element to eachelectrode of said gas discharge tube arrestor, and

iv. means for coupling the electrically conductive core member of siadelectrically conductive coupling element to said electrical environment.

9. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device as described inclaim 8, additionally comprising an electrically insulative walledmember defining a cavity wherein said gas discharge tube arrestor isplaced within said cavity having thermal insulative material positionedbetween the walls of said electrically insulative walled member and saidgas discharge tube arrestor.

10. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device as described inclaim 8 wherein said gas discharge tube arrestor is of a multi-electrodedesign.

11. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device as described inclaim 8 wherein said gas discharge tube arrestor is of a three electrodedesign.

12. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device for protectingan electrical environment against overload conditions as described inclaim 8, wherein said device is responsive to both voltage and currentoverload conditions.

13. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device as describe inclaim wherein said thermal insulative material encapsulating said gasdischarge tube arrestor defines a cavity wherever an electrically conductive coupling element is electrically coupled to an electrode of saidgas discharge tube arrestor.

1. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device for protectingan electrical environment against overload conditions, said devicecompromising: a. An electrically insulative walled enclosure defining acavity; b. A gas discharge tube arrestor having at least one electrode,said gas discharge tube arrestor being positioned within the hollowcavity of said walled enclosure; c. Thermal insulative materialencapsulating said gas discharge tube arrestor so as to provide athermal insulative barrier between the walls of said electricallyinsulative walled enclosure and said gas discharge tube arrestor; d.Electrically conductive coupling elements for electrically coupling eachelectrode of said gas discharge tube arrestor to said electricalenvironment, said electrically conductive coupling elementscompromising: i. An electrically insulative outer wall member defining acavity; ii. An electrically conductive inner member contained withinsaid cavity defined by said electrically insulative outer wall member,said electrically conductive inner member having its electricalconductivity interrupted upon having any portion of said electricallyconductive inner member reach a predetermined temperature level; andiii. Means for electrically coupling one end of an electricallyconductive coupling element to each respective electrode of said gasdischarge tube arrestor.
 2. A temperature sensitive electricalregulating device as described in claim 1 wherein said gas dischargetube arrestor is of a mUlti-electrode design.
 3. A temperature sensitiveelectrical regulating device as described in claim 2 wherein said gasdischarge tube arrestor is of a three electrode design.
 4. A temperaturesensitive electrical regulating device as described in claim 1 whereinsaid electrically conductive inner member of said electricallyconductive coupling element is an electrically conductive hollow memberwhich is coincident with said electrically insulative outer wall member.5. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device as described inclaim 1 wherein said electrically conductive inner member of saidelectrically conductive coupling comprises granuals of closely packedelectrically conductive material.
 6. A temperature sensitive electricalregulating device as described in claim 1, wherein said thermalinsulative material encapsulating said gas discharge tube arrestordefines a cavity wherever an electrically conductive coupling element iselectrically coupled to an electrode of said gas discharge tubearrestor.
 7. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device forprotecting an electrical environment against overload conditions asdescribe in claim 1 wherein said device is responsive to both voltageand current overload conditions.
 8. A temperature sensitive electricalregulating device for protecting an electrical environment againstoverload conditions, said device comprising: a. Gas discharge tubearrestor having at least one electrode, and b. An electricallyconductive coupling element for electrically coupling each electrode ofsaid gas discharge tube arrestor to said electrical environment, saidelectrically conductive coupling element comprising: i. An electricallyinsulative outer wall member defining a cavity; ii. An electricallyconductive inner member contained within said cavity defined by saidelectrically insulative outer wall member, said electrically conductiveinner member comprising an electrically conductive hollow membercoincident with a portion of said electrically insulative outer wallmember and an electrically conductive core member electrically coupledto said electrically conductive hollow member and coincident with theremainder of said electrically insulative outer wall member; iii. meansfor coupling the electrically conductive hollow member portion of saidelectrically conductive coupling element to each electrode of said gasdischarge tube arrestor, and iv. means for coupling the electricallyconductive core member of siad electrically conductive coupling elementto said electrical environment.
 9. A temperature sensitive electricalregulating device as described in claim 8, additionally comprising anelectrically insulative walled member defining a cavity wherein said gasdischarge tube arrestor is placed within said cavity having thermalinsulative material positioned between the walls of said electricallyinsulative walled member and said gas discharge tube arrestor.
 10. Atemperature sensitive electrical regulating device as described in claim8 wherein said gas discharge tube arrestor is of a multi-electrodedesign.
 11. A temperature sensitive electrical regulating device asdescribed in claim 8 wherein said gas discharge tube arrestor is of athree electrode design.
 12. A temperature sensitive electricalregulating device for protecting an electrical environment againstoverload conditions as described in claim 8, wherein said device isresponsive to both voltage and current overload conditions.
 13. Atemperature sensitive electrical regulating device as describe in claim9, wherein said thermal insulative material encapsulating said gasdischarge tube arrestor defines a cavity wherever an electricallyconductive coupling element is electrically coupled to an electrode ofsaid gas discharge tube arrestor.